SPENCERPORT, N.Y. — This month is National Kidney Month, and next month is National Donate Life Month. These two back-to-back months highlight the importance of organ donation.

For about as long as she can remember, Jennifer Venti says Sundays have been for lunch with the family.

“It brings me back to being a little kid, and just having the whole family together and that tight bond,” Venti said.

And this particular Sunday’s gathering was a special one. They were joined by her cousin Sebastian Curatolo and his family for the first time since before COVID-19.

“This is how it used to be,” Curatolo said. “And we’re like a close family, and it makes us feel like it’s semi-normal. It’s not completely normal because of the masks, but I think it’s getting there.”

Jennifer and Sebastian have a special relationship. Just last year, she donated one of her kidneys to him, something she didn’t have to think twice about.

“It was the easiest decision to make,” Venti said. “I said earlier how our family is always about being there, being supportive, being around for each other.”

Sebastian was diagnosed with stage four kidney disease just before the pandemic. The surgery was considered elective and had to be postponed. But on May 12 the procedure was finally allowed to proceed.

“I’m still in awe and shock and gratefulness, because we’ve always known Jennifer was a special person,” Curatolo said. “And to be on the receiving end of it makes me so proud to be her cousin.”

Now almost a year later, both are back to eating good food and enjoying time with family like normal. Which is why Jennifer says everyone should consider becoming a donor if able; the time and pain a small sacrifice to pay to save someone else’s life.

“Life is painful, and I think the pain of the surgery is a reality of what you’re doing for somebody else, and it’s manageable,” Venti said.

And Sebastian says it’s a gesture he’ll never forget.

“I feel very lucky, I feel very blessed,” Curatolo said. “And surrounded by people like this, how could you not be?”

For those interested in learning more about becoming a donor, the Northeast Kidney Foundation and the University of Rochester Medical Center have resources available.